When Car Hire in Madrid Makes Sense

Madrid, being Europe’s third-largest city is the heart of Spain’s economic and political core, is where the Royal Family resides and is home to the cultural marvels of the famous Golden Triangle, incorporating the immense Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia art museums. As well as this, Madrid is popular with tourists because of its evident vibrancy, displayed best in its bustling streets, lively bar and nightlife mixed with the enrichment of its medieval quarter. Although much of central Madrid can be enjoyed on foot or by using public transport there is also good reason to consider car hire for your next visit due to the wide array of astonishing places, sights and activities found within driving distance of central Madrid.

Some may not be aware that Spain has the second-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Earth, with Madrid an ideal base to go and discover some of these truly historic gems. A tour of these is becoming increasingly popular, with people using car hire as an affordable and flexible way to take in these inimitable sites. Head for the walled city of Toledo just one hour away in the hills along the Autopista 41 to marvel at the mixture of architectural styles; Gothic, Visigodo and Mujedar. Its 14th-century Cathderal is a true work of art, likewise the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz and Santo Tome Church.

One can include Caceres (3 hours east, using the E-90 and A58 roads) in your itinerary, where you will find Gothic churches, palaces and fascinating Moorish structures. Fans of the legendary Dan Quixote should make the thirty minute drive west on the E-90 to Alcalá de Henares to see Cervantes birthplace or you may want to head south along the E-5 for the awesome Aranjuez just 48km away, where you will find the luxurious Palacio Real and the Casa del Labrador on the Tagus River as well as several upmarket restaurants. Another great UNESCO World Heritage Site can be found in the town of El Escorial as you head north along Autopista 6, exiting onto the M600. Wonderful panoramas of the surrounding countryside greet you as you walk around Spain’s largest monastery – the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. A visit here can also be tied-in with a stop at Segovia just forty-five minutes drive away.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medieval city of Segovia features the Spanish Mint and an impressive Roman aqueduct. As well as these stunning historical towns and cities, many are also not aware that Madrid is within driveable proximity of some great ski resorts. Only forty-five minutes drive from Madrid using predominantly the A6 route, you will find yourself at Navacerrada ski resort. The resort opens in mid-December and enjoys a lengthy ski season, reaching into April. Here you will find a good mix of pistes to suit all skill sets and also the opportunity to do a spot of snowboarding, all set in pretty pine woods.

From here you are just 7km drive from the Valdesqui ski area near the town of Rascafria. Amongst the impressive 21km of marked pistes, seasoned skiers have long enjoyed the now famous ‘La Bola del Mundo’ run with its blistering 400m vertical drop. Beginners are also well looked after here thanks to twelve ‘green’ runs. The resort also features 5 chair lifts, eleven ski tows and has restaurants, ski schools, hire facilities and also a nursery on hand for travelling families. More information on Skiing in Madrid.

Spanish airport passenger numbers down

Year on year passenger traffic through the airports operated in Spain by national holding company Aena are showing a massive 9.3% drop for the year to the end of October. For a country where tourism forms almost 10% of the economy these figures make bleak reading for what has been a battered sector this summer.

One bright spot is the performace of Madrids Barajas airport which, for the second month in a row, increased the number of passengers passing through its 4 terminals.

2009 Madrid derby

As an Atletico abonado the visit of Real Madrid to the Vicente Calderon is always awaited with great expectation but not a little trepidation. Whilst the match always seems to co-incide with Atletico on the “up” and Real Madrid on a “downer” the results this last decade have always favoured the Whites from the north of the city.

Unfortunately the 2009/10 derby was no different!

From a fans perspective the occasion is sometimes an anti climax as for all the bluster, hype and tension Real Madrid always score an early goal. This year it wasn’t until the 4th minute that Madrid went 1-0 up but instead of the optimism that prevaded amongst Atletico fans in previous years there was a sigh of resignation as if to say “yet again?” By the time the second half was 10 minutes old Atletico were 3-0 down and looking at receiving a hiding!

Cue the entrance of one Sergio “Kun” Aguero.

This “pint sized” Argentinian center forward is Atletico Madrids only saving grace in what has been an awful season so far but injury problems mean that his appearances are limited to “half matches” for the foreseable future. What he lacks in inches or minutes on the field “Kun” more than makes up for with his impact on matches. Minutes after coming on Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was shown a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity and Real Madrid were down to ten men with 30 minutes remaining on the clock….

Atletico went over to the attack instantly but it wasn’t until the 82nd minute that Kun grabed a goal to reduce the deficite to 3-1. Four minutes later veteran and golden boat winner Diego Forlan scored a second for Atletico but for all their huffing and puffiong Real Madrid held out for a 3-2 win and maintain their record of ten years without being defeated in the Calderon!

Sanctions against Atletico?

The Madrid derby never passes without incident and this years event saw:

• Real Madrid manager receive a object thrown from the stands in the face
• Commentators positions bombarded with plastic drinks bottles
• Various flares and smoke cartridges let off within the ground
• All manner of objects thrown on the pitch
• Pre match riot police firing rubber bullets at the Atletico Madrid Ultras

Despite all the above the ground is a safe place to visit and Real Madrid supporters had no problem getting to or from the stadium unmolested! Just wish they didn’t take the 3 points back to the Santiago Bernabeu with them!

Long Weekend In Lanzarote

 

The small Canary Island of Lanzarote is a just a two and a half hour flight from Madrid. But a world away in terms of weather conditions – especially during the winter months. Thanks to its location just 79 miles off the coast of southern Morocco on a similar line of longitude to parts of Mexico and Florida.

 

As a result Lanzarote enjoys average temperatures of around 21 Celsius even during the depths of December. Making it an ideal getaway for sun starved Madrileños and expatriates alike. With direct flights to the island available from low cost specialists Ryanair and easyJet – as well as Spanish carriers Iberia and Spanair. Both of whom offer hefty travel discounts for anyone in posession of Spanish residency. Making Lanzarote an ideal candidate for a long weekend or full on winter break.

 

Unlike some of the other Canary Islands Lanzarote´s landscape hasn’t been scarred by high rise hotels and advertising hoardings. As these were all banned during the 1970´s. Whilst strict planning laws ensure against the sort of over development that has blighted some other Spanish sunspots.

 

As a result Lanzarote has been left largely as nature intended – especially away fro the three main resorts. Which is just as well – as the island boasts more than its fair share of natural – if unconventional – beauty.

 

This is most evident in and around the volcanic region, which occupies around one third of Lanzarote´s interior. A surreal, lunar like landscape created by a huge chain of eruptions in the 1730s which lasted for around six years. Wiping out villages, farmland and livelihoods and leaving lava fields and burn out volcanoes in its wake.

 

The whole region was declared a National Park in 1974 today welcomes close to one million visitors every year.

 

Away from the twisted terrain of the islands interior Lanzarote boasts close to 100 spectacular beaches. Some of which, such as the set of coves and bays at Pagagayo in the south, are regarded as amongst the best in the whole of the Canarian archipelago.

 

During the winter months visitors are best advised to follow the swallows and head south. As even on an island measuring just 60km by 40km there’s still a pronounced mircoclimate at work. Making Playa Blanca at the bottom tip of the island the most reliable resort for decent weather.

 

Playa Blanca also offers an excellent selection of accommodation and is home to the bulk of the best hotels and villas in Lanzarote . Such as the five star Gran Melia Volcan, located right next to the stylish Rubicon Marina development. Which provides mooring for luxury yachts from around the world.

Mad open Mic 4

Its that time again!

The 4th Mad Open Mic: Captured Words

Presentation of Courting the Bull: an Anthology of Expatriate Literature in Spain (with readings from the book) followed by the regular open mic.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Café Concierto La Fídula
Calle Huertas, 57 Madrid in the Barrio de las Letras
Metro: Anton Martin, Sevilla, Banco
Performing will begin at 9 pm.

To register and for further information, contact: margiekanter@gmail.com or www.elasunto.com/mkd.htm

Come to present your own work or just to listen in. Open to the public. No entry fee. You pay (only) for what you consume.

Guidelines for Performers:
- Your presentation must be your own creative words; spoken or readspoken. It can be a story, poem, lyrics (but no music), creative essay…
- We will readspeak in cycles of 3 minutes each. Please prepare your work in combinations of 3 minutes each to allow for flexibility in scheduling. If there is time, there will be a second cycle. Please clock your readings ahead of time.
- Sign up by emailing: margiekanter@gmail.com by November 10, 2009.
- Put Open Mic in the Subject or Asunto of the email.
- Include a short sample of your work or give me an idea of what you are planning to readspeak to help in the planning.
- Late registrants will be included when possible.
- Presentations will be in English.
- For updates check: www.elasunto.com/mkd.htm

The Mad Open Mic Series: Captured Words presents writers readingspeaking their work in English and is meant to be an open forum for writers to exchange their energies and texts with each other and with a larger public, to build a network and to spark our creative energies.  Held in Madrid, Spain several times a year.  Participants must pre-register.  The event is free and open to the public. Present your work or come and listen in.  You pay only for what you consume.